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Although not yet reaching the level of fierce protests seen in Spain or Italy, the pressure from overtourism is increasingly weighing on some iconic destinations in Paris, notably the Montmartre hill area and the Sacre-Cœur Basilica.
Local residents, deeply attached to this historic neighborhood, are expressing profound concern about the overwhelming number of tourists, the overflowing garbage, and the overcrowding of accommodations, and are hoping for immediate changes before this "jewel" loses its inherent beauty and identity.
The Montmartre area in Paris (France) is facing overtourism, leading locals to worry that the destination will follow in the footsteps of Venice or Barcelona.
Having lived in the area for 29 years, Anne Renaudie, head of the Vivre à Montmartre (Living in Montmartre) association, has witnessed rapid changes. She says the historic neighborhood gained global fame partly thanks to the 2001 film "Amelie" and, more recently, the "Emily in Paris" series. However, this popularity is bringing unintended consequences. "Now the old town looks like an expensive amusement park, where the price of an ice cream cone can reach 5 euros," Renaudie remarked bitterly.
This situation has significantly transformed the appearance and life of Montmartre. Renaudie describes it as follows: "People come here for about three hours to have fun, buy a hat or a crepe, and then leave – it's like an amusement park." As a result, essential shops serving the daily lives of local residents are gradually disappearing, giving way to snack stalls and souvenir shops. "There were only two or three butcher shops left, two cheese shops, but they're all gone. Now there are just lots of ice cream shops, crepe shops, and taco shops," lamented Anne Renaudie, expressing the loss of amenities and community identity.
The Montmartre hill area in Paris (France) is a very popular tourist destination.
Faced with this alarming situation, the Vivre à Montmartre association, with members like Anne Renaudie, has been constantly speaking out and proposing concrete measures to the local authorities. These proposals are similar to those already implemented in many other popular tourist destinations in Europe to address overcrowding.
Specifically, the association proposed limiting the size of tourist groups to a maximum of 25 people, banning the use of loudspeakers that cause noise pollution, and increasing tourist taxes. However, they still hope for further reduction of overcrowding in the area to protect the environment and unique culture of Montmartre.
The Montmartre Living Association has proposed measures to the local authorities similar to those implemented in other popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Tourist overcrowding in Paris, and particularly in Montmartre, is expected to worsen in the near future. Paris officials have predicted that 2025 will be a bumper year for tourism, meaning that the number of international visitors will increase even further. Statistics show that the Paris region welcomed 48.7 million visitors in 2024, with approximately 11 million visiting Montmartre annually, mainly to admire the famous Basilica of Sacre-Cœur. The already crowded narrow streets are becoming even more congested, leaving locals feeling tired and frustrated.
One of the most pressing issues caused by overtourism is its impact on the housing market. Eric Lejoindre, mayor of the 18th arrondissement – the area containing Montmartre Hill – expressed deep concern that soaring house prices could force original residents of the area to relocate. "For me, the biggest problem is housing. That means fighting against Airbnb and other rental platforms," Lejoindre emphasized.
The Paris region welcomed 48.7 million visitors in 2024, with around 11 million visiting Montmartre annually, primarily to admire the famous Sacre-Coeur Basilica.
According to Meilleuragents.com, property prices in Montmartre have increased by 19% over the past decade, an alarming figure. The 18th arrondissement also boasts the highest number of Airbnb rental listings among Paris's 20 districts, highlighting the penetration of short-term rentals. To control the situation, authorities have tightened regulations on short-term rentals, reducing the annual limit on renting primary residences from 120 days to 90 days. However, whether these measures are sufficient to save Montmartre from losing its identity and traditional community remains a big question.
